Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero presides over the hybrid hearing of the Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education on August 1, 2023. Voltaire F. Domingo, Senate PRIB

MANILA — Senate President Francis Escudero is willing to support Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian's proposal for the Senate, as in institution, to file a case against suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo for failing to show up at their probe.

• Senate issues arrest orders for Alice Guo, others for contempt

"Of course, if he deems it necessary and fit to do it," Escudero said.

Gatchalian on Monday suggested that the Senate file a complaint against Guo for violating Article 150 of the Revised Penal Code, which penalizes "disobedience to summons."

Escudero explained that his colleague was referring to an old provision under the Revised Penal Code that is rarely used.

"If he recommends it, the Senate legal [counsel] can look into it if he asks for it."

Escudero said a complaint has to be filed before the prosecutor or fiscal's office because the complaint must be sworn to by an individual.

• Guo apologizes to Escudero, says she was not imposing on senators

"It would be a nice test case, too," Escudero said.

House leaders filed Disobedience to Summons cases against then Sen. Leila De Lima in 2017 but these have since been dismissed.

ESCUDERO THUMBS DOWN JINGGOY'S 'ULTIMATUM'

Escudero meantime thumbed down the idea of slashing the intelligence funds of law enforcers for failing to apprehend Guo following Sen. Jinggoy Estrada's "ultimatum" to arrest the embattled mayor.

• 'Get your acts together': Senator gives NBI, PNP 'ultimatum' to arrest Alice Guo

"Eh di lalong di nila makikita yung iba? Again, again hindi naman ito carrot and stick paparusahan mo pag may mali," Escudeo said. 

(Then they will not be able to find the other. This is not a case of the carrot and stick, where you punish them if they are wrong)

Guo has asked the Supreme Court to stop the Senate from summoning her in their investigation into illegal POGOs, of which she was accused of backing in her municipality.

Apart from Guo, authorities have also yet to find Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Appolo Quiboloy, who is the subject of arrest warrants from courts in Pasig and in Davao for abuse and trafficking cases. 

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